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PS4 outselling Xbox One nearly 2-to-1 on eBay

Sony’s system also seems harder to find at online retailers.

A few weeks before the Xbox One and PS4 launched, we noted that pre-orders for Sony’s system were seeing higher resale demand on eBay, both in terms of price markups and total auctions. That trend seems to be continuing after release, with the PS4 producing nearly twice as many auctions on the site than the Xbox One, according to one analyst.

“Looks like around 65k PS4s and 33k Xbox One's have sold on [Ebay] to-date,” Baird Equity Research analyst Colin Sebastian tweeted as part of a report analyzing the overall market for eBay goods this holiday season. Last month, a report directly from eBay said that 10,000 PS4s sold on the site the weekend after launch. For comparison, eBay sold about 40,000 Xbox 360 systems through early December after that system’s launch in 2005.

The healthy eBay lead for the PS4 might suggest that there is more overall demand for Sony’s system compared to the Xbox One going into Christmas, but it could also be a reaction to the supply chain in the retail market. The Xbox One has generally been easier to find new in stores in recent weeks and is currently in stock at a number of online retailers, while the PS4 sold out almost everywhere and tends to disappear quickly when it does show up in stores.

It’s hard to know if that current retail availability is itself due to differences in overall supplies or in consumer demand; both consoles were running relatively even in overall worldwide sales earlier this month. We’ll know more on which console actually had a better holiday season when we hear about December console sales sometime next month.

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Ebay resales are indicative of exactly nothing. It could be supply shortages, it could be demand, it could be a combination of factors.

It appears that both systems are selling well, but I know where I live I can walk into a store and buy an XBox two days before Christmas but there isn't a PS4 to be found anywhere. Again, it's impossible to say exactly why that is.

133 posts | registered May 9, 2011

Kyle Orland
Kyle is the Senior Gaming Editor at Ars Technica, specializing in video game hardware and software. He has journalism and computer science degrees from University of Maryland. He is based in the Washington, DC area. Emailkyle.orland@arstechnica.com//Twitter@KyleOrl

Probably intentional as a (futile) attempt to emphasize that this isn't particularly concrete evidence about the relative popularity (or prospects for long-term success, or moral superiority, or...) of the consoles.

The PS4's ebay prices are driven by the fact it's completely sold out in many countries. Australia, one of the biggest markets in the world for this stuff, is not expected to have the PS4 on store shelves until February.

Sony released an official statement last week apologising that the PS4 will not be available in time for Xmas and that their manufacturing capacity will be devoted entirely to fulfilling pre-orders until February 4. Then it should be available on store shelves.

Not surprising. Sony stretched their supply way too thin. Meanwhile, Microsoft limited their launch to 13 markets compared to Sony's console that is now available in 48 markets. Seems like there are two very different business ideals working here. Microsoft is making sure there is adequate stock for those markets where the Xbox One has launched and Sony has "launched" the playstation across 48 markets with inadequate supply for any of them. Microsoft has stated that the Xbox One would become available in the rest of those regions early 2014. I have no doubt that the Xbox One stock will be ready to meet the demand in those markets since they aren't stretching stock too thin. This seems to be a much better business decision and helps prevent the rampant price gouging that is happening on eBay.

Not surprising. Sony stretched their supply way too thin. Meanwhile, Microsoft limited their launch to 13 markets compared to Sony's console that is now available in 48 markets.

I don't know if that's by choice, or whether or not they were not able to implement any of the TV functionality and localization in time to launch in other regions. Seems odd with all this stock on hand they would delay the Nordic European region twice.

Not surprising. Sony stretched their supply way too thin. Meanwhile, Microsoft limited their launch to 13 markets compared to Sony's console that is now available in 48 markets. Seems like there are two very different business ideals working here. Microsoft is making sure there is adequate stock for those markets where the Xbox One has launched and Sony has "launched" the playstation across 48 markets with inadequate supply for any of them. Microsoft has stated that the Xbox One would become available in the rest of those regions early 2014. I have no doubt that the Xbox One stock will be ready to meet the demand in those markets since they aren't stretching stock too thin. This seems to be a much better business decision and helps prevent the rampant price gouging that is happening on eBay.

Which could get good for MS if a parent goes into a store to buy a PS4 and they don't have it but the do have the Xbox then they walk out with that. The average parent buying for their child won't know or care about the difference and they sure are not going to pay 2x as much on eBay.

Bought an Xbox one at my local GameStop a few days ago. It was also available on Amazon, and the local Target and Wal-Mart. There wouldn't be a practical reason for me to buy it on ebay. None of these retailers had a PS4 in stock, so the only option for one would be ebay. I'm a little suprised its only 2 to 1. (NYC area)

Every time one of these articles pops up, I check out the video games sales over at Amazon. PS4 is, once again, out of stock while also taking the #1 spot. Xbox One is at 25 right now.

I do agree that it is still too early to tell how things will pan out, but it's interesting how early fortunes have changes this time around. At the very least, everything points to a very healthy market.

Ebay resales are indicative of exactly nothing. It could be supply shortages, it could be demand, it could be a combination of factors.

It appears that both systems are selling well, but I know where I live I can walk into a store and buy an XBox two days before Christmas but there isn't a PS4 to be found anywhere. Again, it's impossible to say exactly why that is.

Sony intentionally keeps initial supplies short to instill a false sense of urgency in consumers. They did the same thing with the PS3.

I don't think this is what happened with the PS3 at all - did they not have some serious production yield issues with Cell? This time around manufacturing should not be a problem since every major component has simply been adapted from common consumer PC hardware.

I'm probably the only one, but I'm getting an XBox One for XBox Fitness. If it ends up working, it'll easily justify the purchase price at a cost less than half a decent treadmill/bike. Otherwise, hey, cool games.

Every time one of these articles pops up, I check out the video games sales over at Amazon. PS4 is, once again, out of stock while also taking the #1 spot. Xbox One is at 25 right now.

I do agree that it is still too early to tell how things will pan out, but it's interesting how early fortunes have changes this time around. At the very least, everything points to a very healthy market.

I think the Amazon rankings are far more indicative of demand than eBay. Of course, any sales numbers at this point, where demand still greatly outstrips supply for both consoles, is premature.

Every time one of these articles pops up, I check out the video games sales over at Amazon. PS4 is, once again, out of stock while also taking the #1 spot. Xbox One is at 25 right now.

Lol, The xbox one console itself is selling less than individual games like "just dance" for the xbox and "just dance" for the original wii. I would have expected it to be in the number 1 or number 2 spot. This is just pathetic for a major console launch.

Sony intentionally keeps initial supplies short to instill a false sense of urgency in consumers. They did the same thing with the PS3.

I've always called BS on this theory. There may be some truth to it, but a "false sense" is not better then an actual honest to god sale that deprives MS of a sale.. There are people who want this device right NOW for Christmas. Only the stupidest company in the world would deny a sale for perception. Doing what you are suggesting would be like shooting myself in the head. HAHA! I can get out of doing work all I have to do is shoot myself in the head!

If Sony doesn't give them what they want that opens up a sales possibility for Microsoft. And anyways all the hard core fanbois got their consoles on day one. Its the casual shopper who is trying to find a console for little Billy who has asked for a PS4. And you know what. If that isn't available they could very well go and pick up an XBOXONE.

Every time one of these articles pops up, I check out the video games sales over at Amazon. PS4 is, once again, out of stock while also taking the #1 spot. Xbox One is at 25 right now.

I do agree that it is still too early to tell how things will pan out, but it's interesting how early fortunes have changes this time around. At the very least, everything points to a very healthy market.

Lol, The xbox one console itself is selling less than individual games like "just dance" for the xbox and "just dance" for the original wii. I would have expected it to be in the number 1 or number 2 spot. This is just pathetic for a major console launch.

Yeah, I mean it's not like the Wii, Xbox 360, or PS3 have substantial install bases with people that are going to keep buying titles for them.

Every time one of these articles pops up, I check out the video games sales over at Amazon. PS4 is, once again, out of stock while also taking the #1 spot. Xbox One is at 25 right now.

You're only checking US sales however. It's not indicative of worldwide sales.

I dunno about the rest of the world, but in Australia the Xbox One crushed the record of the most successful console launch ever. The Wii held the previous record for the first week of sales, Xbox One sold more than twice as many in the first three days. And every store in the country is fully stocked, despite holiday sales.

I work at a Best Buy in the Nashville area, our stock and sales of PS4 and Xbox One are nearly 3 to 1 in favor of PS4. I haven't asked about other stores in our area, so thats just a small bit of the overall sales.

I'm probably the only one, but I'm getting an XBox One for XBox Fitness. If it ends up working, it'll easily justify the purchase price at a cost less than half a decent treadmill/bike. Otherwise, hey, cool games.

Xbox Fitness is pretty awesome. There is a healthy amount of content already out for it, and the tracking seems to work far better than previous gen. Plus it is all real video workouts with just a "snap" section dedicated to motion tracking, so the sometimes-ok-sometimes-terrible VR avatars are dead and gone.

That being said, even with the "free year" of content, not all of it is free. There are certain modules for the premier brands like Insanity that are free but you have to pay more if you want the entire thing.

My gym-crazy wife is using it fairly frequently and likes the demanding workouts, so that's a good vote of confidence.

Back on topic, I've seen plenty of Xbox's in Best Buy and Toys R Us in NYC...I asked the Toys R Us guy, he said they were selling well but they just keep getting more stock.

People, PEOPLE! We're all friends here! Remain calm! While true, some of us have chosen the XBox One and some of us have chosen the PlayStation 4, that's no reason for us to yell and fight like animals! We cannot let these choices drive a wedge in our community!

Let us remain united, and never forget that the true laughable simpletons, deserving of all the scorn and tea-bagging we can dish out, are those who bought an Intellivison.

Every time one of these articles pops up, I check out the video games sales over at Amazon. PS4 is, once again, out of stock while also taking the #1 spot. Xbox One is at 25 right now.

I do agree that it is still too early to tell how things will pan out, but it's interesting how early fortunes have changes this time around. At the very least, everything points to a very healthy market.

I think the Amazon rankings are far more indicative of demand than eBay. Of course, any sales numbers at this point, where demand still greatly outstrips supply for both consoles, is premature.

Interestingly, you can't actually order a PS4 at the moment, but Xbox One is guaranteed to be at your door by December 26th if you order now - so the supply of one of the consoles is not falling short at the moment.

People, PEOPLE! We're all friends here! Remain calm! While true, some of us have chosen the XBox One and some of us have chosen the PlayStation 4, that's no reason for us to yell and fight like animals! We cannot let these choices drive a wedge in our community!

Let us remain united, and never forget that the true laughable simpletons, deserving of all the scorn and tea-bagging we can dish out, are those who bought an Intellivison.

I hope you're not referring to me... I'm not buying anything until I see reviews of a bunch of games I want to play. There's nothing yet for either console, so I have no bias.

People, PEOPLE! We're all friends here! Remain calm! While true, some of us have chosen the XBox One and some of us have chosen the PlayStation 4, that's no reason for us to yell and fight like animals! We cannot let these choices drive a wedge in our community!

Let us remain united, and never forget that the true laughable simpletons, deserving of all the scorn and tea-bagging we can dish out, are those who bought an Intellivison.

I bought a R.E.A.L 3DO gaming system back in the day. Should I shame myself in the corner?

Every time one of these articles pops up, I check out the video games sales over at Amazon. PS4 is, once again, out of stock while also taking the #1 spot. Xbox One is at 25 right now.

I do agree that it is still too early to tell how things will pan out, but it's interesting how early fortunes have changes this time around. At the very least, everything points to a very healthy market.

I think the Amazon rankings are far more indicative of demand than eBay. Of course, any sales numbers at this point, where demand still greatly outstrips supply for both consoles, is premature.

Clearly, demand greatly outstrips supply only for one console. What we don't know is whether this is due to supply constraints or higher demand for that console.

Ebay resales are indicative of exactly nothing. It could be supply shortages, it could be demand, it could be a combination of factors.

It appears that both systems are selling well, but I know where I live I can walk into a store and buy an XBox two days before Christmas but there isn't a PS4 to be found anywhere. Again, it's impossible to say exactly why that is.

I think the PS4 had a bit more steam out of the gate, mostly due to missteps by MS prior to launch in the way they conveyed info and changed stances on certain topics. It just confused people and did nothing to help the cause. I have nothing against the PS4 but got an XBO because I am less games and more multimedia right now. If I was just into gaming I would probably have gotten the PS4. I have flip flopped several times across generational releases, getting whatever was best for me at the time.